by John McNeill

KALAMAZOO (WKZO) -- The final results will be coming in thru the night but most of the candidates have either declared victory or conceded defeat and the supporters headed for the doors and home.

As expected, Longtime incumbent Congressman Fred Upton will be representing the Republican party in the 6th Congressional District.

It was a lopsided victory and Upton says it’s a gratifying win. He says he would rather not have opposition in a primary race, “but when you do you have to go all out to win it”, and he says that’s what he did.

This reporter was standing just feet away from challenger Jack Hoogendyk when he called Upton to offer his congratulations, just before offering his concession speech to a small crowd of followers at a restaurant in Texas Township.

In a phone conversation with Upton that soon followed, Upton said that Hoogendyk was gracious in defeat.  

He says he expects a civil and issues oriented campaign debate with Democratic Challenger Mike O’Brien, who was unopposed in the primary. Upton also promised several formal debates with his opponent between now and the election in November.